DNA traces on an airbag trapped a man who was in a car when it crashed into the back of another vehicle, causing a woman whiplash injuries.

The car he was a passenger in careered out of control and hit an advertising board, a court heard.

Anthony Thomas, 19, of Harrington Street, Cleethorpes, admitted aggravated vehicle taking while a passenger in a car on October 9.

Craig Lowe, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that a car driven by another man crashed into the back of another car in Salford, causing a "sudden jolt" and a woman in that car to hit her head on the dashboard.

The car in which Thomas was a passenger mounted a pavement, continued along a grass verge and hit a large advertising board before coming to a halt.

Both men inside ran off but Thomas was later identified from DNA on an airbag.

The other car was a write-off.

Grimsby Magistrates' Court

Thomas also admitted two fraud offences and another of being in possession of criminal property.

The court heard that the home of a man was burgled on April 9 and car keys were stolen.

He discovered that his car had been stolen from his drive and that a debit card was missing.

Thomas used the card on April 10 to try to buy trainers, valued at £141, from JD Sports online.

He also tried to buy cider from a convenience store in Grimsby.

Tim Savage, mitigating, said Thomas was easily led and did not play the lead role in the offences by any means.

He was unemployed but was making progress and hoped to do a sailing course.

Thomas was given a 10-month suspended prison sentence, 150 hours' unpaid work and 10 days' rehabilitation. He was banned from driving for a year.